Page 37 - Luce 2021

A l umni News A l umni News

Lily Laycock our peers. Without these, I would not density population of Shanghai. I got out
(2016) have completed that application to the of my little shell – I joined the Lujiazui
Being able to University of Cambridge, nor carried my Book Club to listen to guest speakers
study at the passion this far. I hope I can carry it even sharing their perspectives on Hamlet as
University of further, whilst acknowledging where it all well as their philosophical discussion
Cambridge is started on that first day in JCH, in 2016. of fate and life changes. I also followed
an opportunity I the footsteps of Eileen Chang, a famous
never thought I I hope that both fresh and graduate Shanghainese writer, to discover the
would be lucky students can take that which they love buildings that she used to live in from
enough to have. at Janet Clarke Hall and the University 1939 to 1947.
I remember coming to this beautiful of Melbourne and push those aspects
place as a young child and thinking that to reach their dreams. Whether those During my job-seeking process, I could
it was some sort of dream – a far away dreams be overseas or in Australia, the never have imagined an opportunity
notion that I could only hear about in pathways open are endless. knocking on my door and bringing me
stories. to the position I currently hold.
Lily Li (2018)
It was, in fact, stories of my own that Three suitcases Working in the secondary sector of HD
brought me to Cambridge as a Masters and a backpack; Shanghai Bilingual School, I have the
Student in Creative Writing. My on 16 June chance to engage with more than 400
acceptance letter came unexpectedly 2021, I boarded students and assist them with Student
after an interview in which I professed a flight and Enrichment Projects. The school’s vision
my love for Angela Carter and Ursula said goodbye is to nurture students rooted in Chinese
Le Guin (in the vague hope that I to the vibrant culture yet passionate to engage with
would someday follow a similar career land where I the wider world.
trajectory). The interviewing tutors had lived for six
patiently talked with me about my years, bound for Shanghai. I can still clearly remember the time
desires as both a writer and academic, I lived at JCH. I wrote poetry in my
and I felt incredibly welcome in what I’d On the one hand I was so glad to room on a silent night. I sketched some
been told would be a gruelling interview reunite with my family – due to COVID artworks for Wintersong in a tutorial
process. A month later, I arrived in the we had not seen each other for a year room and celebrated differently themed
city of Cambridge and moved in with and a half. On the other hand, two of parties downstairs in the JCR with
my partner, embarking on a two-year my identities changed. First, as I had friends. It opened me up and made me
part-time course. left my previous jobs, I became a job see new possibilities in life. At that time,
seeker and ‘contributed’ to the Australian I could never have imagined that in
So far, I have been able to meet a unemployment figures. Secondly, as I four years, I would be helping students
wonderfully eclectic mix of students returned to China, I became a ‘Haigui’ to set up their artwork exhibition and
and teachers alike. My course is (returnee with overseas background) coordinating student performances for a
predominantly staged in Madingley rather than a Chinese ‘graduate worker’. large-scale end-of-semester ceremony.
Hall, a reputably haunted 16th century Looking at the students’ exhibition
manor house. There, we gather together Like many people who relocate to works from calligraphy to pottery, as
and swap our essays, poetry and stories begin their new life, I also faced new well as robot models, I feel grateful to
under the eyes of watchful oil portraits. I difficulties and challenges. Three things work with my colleagues and encourage
have been inspired thus far to complete at the top of my list were: reconnecting students to show their best creativity
my first novel manuscript, which I with friends, building social connections with confidence.
now have the courage to option for and, most importantly, looking for a
publication. However dreamlike, I know satisfying job. My thanks to Dr Powell for inviting
none of this would have been possible me to write about my experiences and
without my undergraduate experiences. I also needed to deal with the ‘reverse feelings in Shanghai. (Whilst working
cultural shock’. I always think that full-time, I haven’t written as frequently
My path thus far was undoubtedly speaking a language conveys the culture as before, but hopefully this year I will
shaped by the University of Melbourne and philosophy behind it. After being be more productive).
and, within that, Janet Clarke Hall. The immersed in the Aussie lifestyle for six
friends I have made both at University years, sometimes I was straightforward, In 2022, I sincerely hope we can
and College echo the astute, passionate without hesitating, to get to the explore the world and see it via different
students at Cambridge and in them I point. However, I now recognised lenses – even watching a few foreign
recognise the same academic drive to that I probably should be more ‘well- movies and listening to different types of
succeed and learn. Melbourne taught rounded’ in a harmony-oriented culture. music will add extra colour to our life!
me that if we grasp the opportunities Sometimes I stood in a crowded subway Continuing my life in Shanghai, I look
of our undergraduate years, those carriage and had a flashback to a quiet forward to exploring more of Shanghai’s
can carry us forward much further summer afternoon when I sat on the modern and historical landmarks, as
than we might expect. JCH kindled lawn with friends in Melbourne. well as joining some of UniMelb’s
in me an appreciation of the intimate alumni gatherings if possible. I also
academic college, where we have the Gradually, I got used to my new life hope that in the coming years, I will
chance to talk, laugh and encourage and began to feel normal in in the high reunite with JCH staff and alumni and

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